The
Roman Baths at Bath are arguabley the single biggest attraction for
visitors coming to Bath. If you visit as part of a tour group the
Roman Baths will normally be included in your itinerary.
The Baths are at the very centre of Bath only about 5 minutes walk
from the train and bus stations. Tour buses drop off very close to
the Roman Baths behind Bath Abbey. The Roman Baths are in the centre
of Bath and its shopping centre, you can walk to all the other attractions
in Bath within minutes
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Roman
Baths Official Web Site
(including opening times and prices) |
Why
Go To The Roman Baths?
Around
Britain's only hot spring, the Romans built a magnificent temple and
bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water. You will
see the water's source and walk where Romans walked on the ancient
stone pavements and of course see the baths themselves.
You are provided with an audio tour device with admission so you can
visit at your own pace. |
How
Long To Budget For Visit & Tour Logistics
The
Baths can get very crowded, especially in the peak summer months.
Most of the coach tours from London start arriving around lunch time.
If you're visiting independently its thus quite a good idea to make
for the Baths early morning as soon as you arrive.
At the peak of summer the Baths are open in the evening, another good
time for the independent visitor.
An audio tour is part of the admission price. This is available in
many languages. You simply key in the number of the room or place
you are in and a full commentary is given. There are many optional
commentaries within some commentaries that go into great detail about
individual items.
For the average person you will be in the Baths around an hour or
less. If you listen to every possible commentary on the audio device
it could extend to perhaps 90 minutes. |
Entrance
to Roman Baths
With Abbey In Background |
You
have to follow a defined route through the complex.
Unusually, the highlight for many is right at the start. Most photos
you see are from the terrace looking down into the Baths, (like the
one at the top of the page). The Terrace is the first place you come
to on the tour route. A lot of the Roman Baths extend under the modern
ground level, beneath adjacent streets and squares, so many visitors
are surprised when they discover just how big the site really is.
You then descend through the complex from the terrace, finishing in
the Pump Rooms where of course there is a gift shop also. |
Pump
Rooms
Long after the Romans, Bath became a very fashionable
place to hang out, (see the Georgian Bath link right). The architecture
and many of the attractions at Bath originate from this time when
high society decamped to Bath.
The Pump rooms although physically in the same building as the Roman
Baths has a separate entrance, very close to the entrance of the Baths |
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If
you don't want to eat in the Pump Rooms you can still enter. There
is a window which anyone can enter and view the steaming Roman Baths
below free of charge.
You can also take a glass of drinking water from the springs here
for a very small fee - the taste is an acquired one.
The restaurant in the Pump Room provides you with an opportunity to
relive those refined times of old.
English food served in elegant surroundings with linen tablecloths,
table service, fresh flowers. Fresh food prepared on the premises,
cooked to order using local produce.
The restaurant is open daily for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon
tea.
The Pump Room Trio plays every day, (violin, cello and piano) throughout
the year to add to your enjoyment while having morning coffee or afternoon
tea in the Pump Room. |
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